The annual Community Fund, which helps provide services to many Upshur County citizens, starts today and continues through March.

The following is a list of those services the Community Fund benefits (allocations to each had not been determined at press time):

PARENTS

ANONYMOUS

This program provides the skills to parents and caretakers that allow them to change their own behavior towards their children, which in turn leads to more positive changes in their children’s behavior.

Parenting problems encompass a variety of issues from talking disrespectfully to lying and stealing to abusive behaviors.

The 15-week program is based on a four C’s concept: caring, communication, consistency, and consequences.

The program is designed to teach parents to discover an alternative to parenting extremes, to respond instead of reacting to situations.

Parents Anonymous is also a support group for parents and caretakers where they can find help and emotional support from other parents in similar situations.

UPSHUR COUNTY BENEVOLENT FUND

This fund is used for emergency relief of Upshur County people in distress. These funds are distributed by a committee appointed by the Upshur County Community Fund.

The Aid Bank is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization controlled and operated by a Board of Directors comprised of Upshur County residents.

SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAM

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and the Gilmer Area Chamber of Commerce provide Gilmer and Upshur County children with a 6 week summer recreational program.

This program is for children ages 6-12, and is from 8 a.m. until noon, Monday through Friday.

Provided are games, stories, crafts and movies, along with exceptional adult supervision.

UPSHUR COUNTY SHARES

FOOD PANTRY

This program is a ministry of the Gilmer Area Ministerial Alliance that provides food for those in need.

“Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.” Isaiah 58-10 (NIV)

WOMEN’S CENTER OF EAST TEXAS

This organization is dedicated to providing safe haven, crisis intervention, and comprehensive support services to victims of domestic and/or sexual violence in Gregg, Harrison, Upshur and Marion counties.

For over 29 years they have served battered women, their witnessing children and victims of sexual violence. They have responded to tens of thousands of calls for help and there is so much more to be done.